It’s been one of those weeks where Alexandria Area High School has changed a noticeable amount in a short time frame. A large amount of carpet has been laid, the science rooms are coming together nicely, and DIRTT walls are being installed.

Do It Right This Time (DIRTT) walls are those that are prepared for the future. Made of panels that are easy to pop out and change, the walls have a cavity for technology. This way when new technology continues to develop there will be no need to tear down any walls to install upgrades. The panels can simply pop out and the new technology can run down from the ceiling.

The several frames that make up the DIRTT walls also allow them to be completely removed with ease. This will make it possible to combine two classrooms into one larger room in the future if needed.

There are also multiple types of panels that can be used on the DIRTT walls. Many of them will be solid panels that just cover the technology cavity, but options such as white board and tack board panels are also available.

The DIRTT walls that are being installed at AAHS are from Inter Office Workspace Furniture and Design out of Fargo, N.D.

Annie Harman is a reporter for Echo Press and The Osakis Review. She grew up in Detroit Lakes and graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire with a degree in print journalism and history in May 2012. Follow her on Twitter at annieharman.